21 Dec 10 - While the bitter freeze in Europe continues, Australia's
usual hot and summery December weather was replaced by snow in parts of
New South Wales and Victoria, after plunging temperatures and snow swept
across the east of the country.
Australia normally experiences temperatures of 86F (30C) at this time of year,
"About 30cm of snow fell at Perisher in NSW yesterday, while Victoria's Mount
Hotham received a 10cm dusting on Sunday.
"Charlotte's Pass in the NSW Snowy Mountains also received a 10cm sprinkling of
snow, prompting would-be bushwalkers to don clothing more suitable for skiing.
"It was surprising to see the Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel blanketed with snow at
this time of year, resort manager Michelle Lovius told The Australian yesterday.
"When you walk in it, it's up past your ankles and it's just started snowing
heavily again.
"Sydney yesterday saw unseasonably low temperatures of just 13C. The western
suburb of Horsley Park recorded 9.8C and the Blue Mountains dropped to -2C.
Extreme weather in other parts of the country caused the worst flooding in 50
years.
See:
http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/bitter-summer-freeze-bites-eastern-states-as-summer-giv
es-way-to-snow-and-cold/story-e6frfq80-1225974173962
See also:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8213932/Wintry-weather-brings-snow-to-Australia-in-midsummer.html
See also:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/20/australia-summer-marked-b_n_799110.html
Thanks to Hans Schreuder, Neil Wildman, Bill Sellers, Benjamin Napier, Robert
Kidd, Ray Baney, Joseph A. Kraig Jr., CR Jordan and many, many others for these
links